?? Pen vs vial?

[Chuck and Susan]

When Chuck was on insulin before, we used a vial. We never used the whole vial, becase we got him diet controlled in about 8 weeks. Now that he's going back on insulin, I was wondering if it's more cost effective to get the pen instead of a vial.

And, can you buy just one pen or do you have to get 5?

Next question, how do you use the pen? Like a person would -- dial up the dose and inject it -- or do you somehow draw the insulin out of the pen and into a syringe?

Thanks, everyone!

 

[Squeaky and KT (GA)]

Hi Susan, welcome back...sort of....

I don't know where to get a single pen, some people have said that their local Target, Costco and Sam's Club sold singles. I would vote pen. You can't use the pen needles so don't waste $$ on those - they don't dose accurately for kitties, the actual dose can vary by WAY too much. Fine for humans that use a lot bigger doses. Use the 'regular' U100 needles that you used with the vial. When you remove the cap of the pen and remove the seal cap, you'll find the same type of rubber 'seal' as on the vial. Only difference is DON'T shoot air INTO the pen, it works on negative pressure where the vials use balanced pressure.

BIG HUG!!!! Hope it's just a short hiccup this time too!!

 

[ecurie]

HI!
I'm sorry to hear that Chuck has slipped from OTJ. rats. I hope this stay on insulin is short this time also also!!
We bought a vial for Oliver, just because we didn't know any better. A lot of people here use the pens and say they like them because you can use every drop in them.
We've just been chatting about this very thing. Seems the pens (5) are about $225. and the vial is close to $150. depending on where you buy it. But if you have to pitch.. or in your case, not need all the vial, pens might be the way to go.
I'm putting a link to one of the stickies with information on handling insulin. It includes a video on how to use both a vial and the pens. Handling Insulin information and video
I think i've heard here that you should call a couple of pharmacies and find out if they will sell just one pen. It seems some pharmacies will and some may not.

There are lots of people here who know lots more about this than me and i'm sure they will be by soon to help you .
take care - mary and ollie

 

[Doug N Libby]

We use Levemir and opted for the pens. We had to buy 5 and won't use them all before they expire, but they last so much longer that we'll go with the pens, again. Maybe we'll be able to find someone 'local' to go in with us. Anyhoo - our first pen lasted 3 months and was almost all gone. We started questioning our numbers, so switched to a new pen. Turns out it wasn't the pen, oh, well. The second pen lasted 4 months and we used until it was so low it was just a few bubbles we couldn't seem to draw up.

Hope Chuck is OTJ soon -

Libby (& Hershey, too!)

 

[Anne & Zener GA]

Julie made a great video showing how to dose from a vial or a pen.
Liz

 

[Ella & Rusty & Stu(GA)]

My local Kinney's pharmacy sells single pens. Sienne has said that often the pharmacy in a hospital will sell single pens because they break up the box of 5 to care for diabetic patients in the hospital.

Make sure that you check the expiration date if you buy the box of 5. Most will have an expiration date a year or more in the future. Also check out the Lantus website. Sometimes they have a coupon for new users.

Ella & Rusty

 

[Jill & Alex (GA)]

Next question, how do you use the pen? Like a person would -- dial up the dose and inject it -- or do you somehow draw the insulin out of the pen and into a syringe?

lantus and levemir pens

you draw the dose with a syringe from the rubber stopper on the end of the pen.
don't buy the pen tips. use a syringe to measure the dose.